Stocks The BSE benchmark Sensex extended losses for the third consecutive week by slipping 27 points to end at 19,468.15 due to persistent selling pressure from operators in view of fall in industrial output and rise in retail inflation.

Dismal corporate earnings by some blue chip companies also dented the market sentiment.

Growth in industrial output contracted by 0.6 per cent in December mainly due to muted activities in manufacturing and mining sectors. Retail inflation remained in double digits at 10.79 per cent in January, driven by higher prices of vegetables, edible oil, cereals and protein-based items.

However, WPI inflation dropped to a three-year low of 6.62 per cent in January but the data failed to spur rate cut hopes.

The BSE benchmark Sensex resumed higher at 19,517.59 and moved in a range of 19,723.01 and 19,381.82 before ending at 19,468.15, a loss of 26.62 points, or 0.14 per cent.

The 30-issue index has lost 635.38 points, or 3.16 per cent, in the last three weeks.

The NSE 50-share Nifty also declined by 16.10 points, or 0.27 per cent, to settle at 2013's lowest closing level of 5,887.40. The benchmark has lost 187.25 points, or 3.08 per cent, in the last three weeks.

Brokers said the broader market continued to remain in the negative territory with second-line stocks attracting profit-booking by retail investors ahead of the Budget.

"After disappointing IIP numbers but easing of WPI inflation rate, investors are in a state of uncertainty regarding rate cuts in near future," said Nidhi Sarswat,

Senior Research An alyst, Bonanza Portfolio Ltd.

Meanwhile, global rating agency Moody's said pursuing policies to boost private investments and curbing inflation can help India trim Current Account Deficit (CAD), which hit a record high of 5.3 per cent of GDP in September quarter.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their buying spree during the week, pumping in a net Rs 2,567.30 crore, including the provisional figure of February 15, in Indian equity markets.

Gainers included Tata Motors, which firmed up by 6.48 per cent followed by Sun Pharma (5.66 per cent), HDFC Bank (3.88 per cent), Coal India (3.10 per cent), ONGC (2.66 per cent), HUL (2.01 per cent), M&M (1.64 per cent), NTPC (1.36 per cent) and TCS gained 1.26 per cent. Among the major indices the BSE-Realty dropped by 5.39 per cent followed by BSE-CG 3.98 per cent, BSE-Power 2.79 per cent, BSE-Metal 1.61 per cent and the BSE-CD fell 1.04 per cent.

The BSE-Small and Mid-cap indices underperformed the Sensex by a wide margin, dropping by a whopping 3.73 per cent and 3.18 per cent, respectively.

The total turnover at BSE and NSE fell to Rs 10,144.22 crore and Rs 53,329.49 crore, respectively from the last weekend level of Rs 11,279.44 crore and 57,529.99 crore.

Forex: The Indian rupee tumbled by another 72 paise to settle the week at one-month low of 54.22 against the Greenback following weakness in the local equities amid sustained dollar demand from importers and some banks, mainly oil refiners.

Heavy foreign fund inflow in equities, however, made a feeble attempt to restrict the rupee fall, a dealer said.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the domestic unit commenced weak at USD 53.65 from last weekend's close of 53.50.

Later, it moved in a range of 53.55 and 54.24 before concluding the week at one-month low of 54.22, showing a fall of 72 paise or 1.35 per cent. This was the lowest closing since 54.39 on January 17.

Sustained dollar demand from importers on the back of weakness in the local markets mainly affected the rupee value against the dollar, a forex dealer said.

Growth in industrial output contracted by 0.6 per cent in December mainly due to muted activities in manufacturing and mining sectors. Retail inflation remained in double digits at 10.79 per cent in January, driven by higher prices of vegetables, edible oil, cereals and protein-based items.

However, WPI inflation dropped to a three-year low of 6.62 per cent in January but the data failed to spur rate cut hopes.

The Indian benchmark sensex closed with week lower by 26.62 points or 0.14 per cent also put pressure on the rupee.

The 30-issue index has lost 635.38 points, or 3.16 per cent, in the last three weeks.